Overnight Trip - What/Where to Store?

[SYCO GT]

What I do is I use the bag for the cover (that I never take)as it has a perfect fit in the fronttrunk,and looks cooler than trashbags...sort of a free included luggage set !

Again, this was a GREAT suggestion, and worked like a charm! If you didn't say anything, my factory cover and it's cool bag would still be sitting inside the original plastic.

My wife and I fit all our clothes and shoes inside the bag, and it's easy to carry. Loved it.

 

[BELIZE91]

As a new owner, I am looking for advise, Do you guys have a problem parking and going places? I find I'm limited to where I can go to eat, either there are no spaces on the end of a lot where I can park and still open the door. I don't want to park in the rear where the car is out of sight. When I come out I find people taking pictures of the car, when I drive I have had people taking photos with the camera phones while driving. I found a new place nearby that has a hall they rent out for parties and the huge lot is empty most times but I have come to eat dinner and there is a wedding and no spaces, so I go home and get the SUV. One time I parked in what I thought was a great space and some jeep parked next to me, didn't matter he has 12 open spaces to the right. I was luck my slim 15 year old could squeeze in and get in the drivers seat. It was his second try at driving a stick... he did OK backing up so I could get my fat a** in to drive away.

Is this a car just to drive and buy gas?

 

[MAD IN NC]

Is this a car just to drive and buy gas?

Personally I get more exercise with my GT than any other car - comes from more walking. When I park it I have to find three spaces as the doors need that much room. So, typically it's off to the back of the lots. Doesn't matter where and when you park the car it draws attention. I've had people follow me in lots just waiting for the car to stop. Doesn't matter if the GT is the only car in the lot - others will park next to it.

Re: "Is this a car just to drive and buy gas?"... The answer is yes as with any car, but the GT difference is do it with as much personal pleasure gained as possible from it. The power, the feel, handling and speed is amazing. I'll take it to Home Depot to buy light bulbs but never lumber...

Other benefits are the rich history of the GT and the other GT fans on this site. Friendships are being developed both personally and in a professional capacity.

With the GT I find myself and my wife just going for "long" drives on the weekends. Never did that with the other cars...

Find some other GT forum members on this site - go for a run with them and enjoy the car as it was meant to be :cheers

 

[SYCO GT]

As a new owner, I am looking for advise, Do you guys have a problem parking and going places?
Is this a car just to drive and buy gas?

Yeah, it takes much more thought about where you are going to park with this car. But, it hasn't stopped me too much from driving it. I have 1,230 miles on it in my first month of ownership.

I also had my first overnight trip, and there was only one empty space in the whole Hilton Palm Springs lot on a Saturday night. I ended up valet parking and tipping the guys $25. I asked if I could park it myself and keep the keys (after reading a tip from this Forum). No problem. It was worth it, they were cool and gave me a perfect space out of harms way. And I could sleep peacefully that night. I'm new at this too - and learning...I never used to valet my cars, but if that's where the only spaces are, so be it. And then you won't get someone parked 6 inches from your door.

And yes, people are constantly taking cell phone pictures while I am driving. And everyone is looking. This is my first exotic car. I was thinking this must be what it is like to be a celebrity or a very beautiful person. I can almost feel people staring at me while driving. And it's true.

But it all comes with the territory, and it's nice that the car is appreciated. I tried to get as subtle a car as possible, black with no stripes. It doesn't matter. And the doors are kind of a pain, but also a very beautiful design visually, and true to the heritage.

A car is what you make of it. I intend to use it, and hope that with reasonable care, it will be fine.

Having ridden motorcycles for over 20 years, I often learned to park them in "stealthy" spots, since motorcycles are naturally vulnerable to theft or vandalism. You can go two ways. Visible so every one can see it, or not so conspicuous, and hopefully under the radar. In public places, I sometimes park where I can see the car, but maybe not everyone else. Or maybe behind a big SUV or Truck, so the main stream of passersby don't even see the GT.

 

[Red Rocket]

My wife and I fit all our clothes and shoes inside the bag, and it's easy to carry. Loved it.

Syco, you must travel light! What is the secret? The only way I could get all my wife's clothes in bag that small is to make her only wear bikini's.

WAIT A MINUTE!! I think we're onto something here..... :banana

 

[Red Rocket]

As a new owner, I am looking for advise, Do you guys have a problem parking and going places? I find I'm limited to where I can go to eat, either there are no spaces on the end of a lot where I can park and still open the door. I don't want to park in the rear where the car is out of sight. When I come out I find people taking pictures of the car, when I drive I have had people taking photos with the camera phones while driving. I found a new place nearby that has a hall they rent out for parties and the huge lot is empty most times but I have come to eat dinner and there is a wedding and no spaces, so I go home and get the SUV. One time I parked in what I thought was a great space and some jeep parked next to me, didn't matter he has 12 open spaces to the right. I was luck my slim 15 year old could squeeze in and get in the drivers seat. It was his second try at driving a stick... he did OK backing up so I could get my fat a** in to drive away.

Is this a car just to drive and buy gas?

Belize, this is Partying 101! Didn't Hollywood teach you anything?!! Assuming you are sincere though, when we go out and need to park one of our nice cars we just simply plan ahead for the parking. For example, I have reserved some "perfect" parking spots around town that are at places we frequent (@$150 -200 per month for parking, it's a steal).

Even if the people at the establishment don't know us already I call ahead and tell them to save a spot in front. At restaurants or clubs we just over-tip and keep the keys (same with the people INSIDE the restaurant or bar, BTW). The way I figure it, the extra dough for the valet guys to watch the car is free money to them as they'd gladly do it anyway, but it also makes them more vigilant. And the money spent is insurance - very cheap insurance at that, as opposed to trying to fix a problem later. Every time you go back to the same spot they will know you and the whole thing is easier. Stick to places where there are no headaches. Repeat often.

 

[SYCO GT]

Syco, you must travel light! What is the secret? The only way I could get all my wife's clothes in bag that small is to make her only wear bikini's.

WAIT A MINUTE!! I think we're onto something here..... :banana

Heheh. We were travelling to Palm Springs, so just needed light clothes, for one night, and no sweaters or long pants.

The best thing was, at the Cabazon outlet mall (Burberry, Coach, Puma, Oakley, etc.) she limited her purchases...Kind of a bummer for her, actually, in that respect, but she is making up for it today at South Coast Plaza...

BTW, what's a range of valet tips. I paid $12 for the valet parking privelege and tipped $25 additional ($37 for overnight parking). They seemed very gratious. Too much? Too little? How about for a dinner valet...

 

[BELIZE91]

Belize, this is Partying 101! Didn't Hollywood teach you anything?!! Assuming you are sincere though, when we go out and need to park one of our nice cars we just simply plan ahead for the parking. For example, I have reserved some "perfect" parking spots around town that are at places we frequent (@$150 -200 per month for parking, it's a steal).

Even if the people at the establishment don't know us already I call ahead and tell them to save a spot in front. At restaurants or clubs we just over-tip and keep the keys (same with the people INSIDE the restaurant or bar, BTW). The way I figure it, the extra dough for the valet guys to watch the car is free money to them as they'd gladly do it anyway, but it also makes them more vigilant. And the money spent is insurance - very cheap insurance at that, as opposed to trying to fix a problem later. Every time you go back to the same spot they will know you and the whole thing is easier. Stick to places where there are no headaches. Repeat often.

Thanks for the advise, Even in Detroit if you called the restaurant and said hey I have a Ford GT and need a safe spot to park it... they say for a Mustang? Hey bud we get Bimmers and Lexis in here and they use our lot. How can you win?

 

[Red Rocket]

Syco Man - I give them $20 - $25 for strangers; up to $50 if parking was really tight and they did me a big favor; usually at the END of the night though. If I figure I'm going to give him a fair amount that night for their trouble I might slip them $10 or $20 at first and tell them the rest will be later.

Most important though -when they try to give you the receipt/ticket I say, "Dude put that away - this is between you and me. This is going straight into your pocket." No receipt means it's all free to them, no paper trail. So then they are really happy (once the light bulb comes on).

I try to pay a little more than they expect; but not 'stupid money' like the hundreds it may take to bribe the doorman to get into a Miami nightclub. I don't want to buy them off - I want to show respect and I expect respect and good service in return. They WANT the car out front - and I want them to watch it for me. Not complicated. If they end up having to do a lot of 'bouncer work' to keep idiots away from the paintjob then I would give them more.

Bottom line - this is an investment in your relationship with these guys. Trust me, they will remember you, so treating them well is a good policy. They move around to different locations; and they all trade stories, so you are building a reputation; therefore be careful about how you treat them (respect is a boomerang - but so is disrepect)

And.... you can't put a price on a good time! :wink

 

[Red Rocket]

Thanks for the advise, Even in Detroit if you called the restaurant and said hey I have a Ford GT and need a safe spot to park it... they say for a Mustang? Hey bud we get Bimmers and Lexis in here and they use our lot. How can you win?

If you have to educate them do it. Maybe you need to go to places that have brighter valets!! (kidding). They will bow when they see you. Invest some time if you want to have a good time.

My wife and I go out to dinner at least once each week. Look for places you want to re-visit and that has a good staff. Then go there regularly, enough for them to remember you. They really like repeat clients (who doesn't?). Vancouver is famous for restaurants and there is quite a world-class selection but we go to mainly the same places all the time, and they have become like family to us. Plus you will find that people in that business move around a lot, so if you make friendships they will carry forward to other places too. We want our visits to be great occasions, so we make sure we have a great time. That is a relief for staff at a good restaurant - they get a lot of whiners. Every once in a awhile we'll send a good bottle of wine to the kitchen staff; we always tip big too (on a $300 dinner, an extra 5% is $15 measly dollars). Live big. Enjoy your free time. Life is short baybee!

My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."

 

[SYCO GT]

http://blogs.edmunds.com/.ee953c5

Karl wrote this article I just found at the above link:

There's also a small, stretchy pouch on the front of the driver's seat (think marsupial), though it took several months of ownership to even discover that one. We still haven't put it to use. Finally, behind both seats are numerous hanging pockets cut into large pieces of canvas paneling. In these we've stuck the owner's manual, a small towel, a small flashlight, a digital tire pressure gauge and all insurance/registration paperwork -- with empty pockets left over.

One last item to consider: the GT has plenty of legroom. So much, in fact, that anyone shorter than 74 inches will need the seat well ahead of its rear-most position. This means a healthy bit of space behind the seat backs and the rear bulkhead, space that can handle jackets, large water bottles and even tall (if relatively narrow/shallow) boxes. Trust us, we've used this space for each of those items on more than one occasion.

It's still no Honda Odyssey, but with a little creativity the Ford GT has more cabin storage than you might initially assume.

Karl Brauer, Editor in Chief, Edmunds.com @ 6,045 miles

 

[Inertia]

Custom Luggage

Has anyone looked into custom luggage for the trunk. Sorry if this is a repost. New today and loving it.

 

[SYCO GT]

Custom luggage?

Take the car cover duffle that came with the car. Take out the car cover.

Voila. Instant Ford GT personalized luggage. Enjoy!

 

[Yogi]

Hey guys, Mark really didnt' want me to put this up yet. But since there has been so much discussion about storage. I have to let the cat out of the bag. We are developing a trunk for your GT's. Let me explain, the clamshell will now be hinged at the firewall, and open in the opposite direction that it currently does. The release for it is electric and when you shut it there is no more slamming the clamshell. Now all you will have to do is bring it to where it clicks once and then it will draw itself shut. We tried to find a way to make this work for the current latching of the GT but, the draw systems are so large we didn't spend much time with it. But back to the trunk. When you stand at the back of the car there will be an electric button release on the right of the license plate lites. When the clamshell pops up about three inches you will be able to lift it with one finger exposing the engine compartment. By using a modified version of our chromemolley hidden bumper system that now supports the rear valance/tail section of the car replacing the three pencil braces on either side of the rear chassy and the upper structure that supports the hinges and gas springs that hold the current clamshell up. Additionally our exhaust silencer system is used replacing the current muffler. The airbox and air intake are now redesigned to sit just behind the throttle body. This will also incorporate new programing for the mass air sensor. This leaves a complete area behind the cross member that holds the mount for the transaxle. A carbon fiber insert becomes the trunk filling the space between the tail and the cross member. It has a rubber gasket between it and the clamshell creating a seal. Allowing enough room for a set of golf clubs and two soft bags of luggage, or a fine rifle or two if your from Texas. You can use that trigger finger to pull the clamshell back down into closed position making the trunk option completely undetectable from the outside of the car. Just like our B door option, as a matter of fact, Mark likes to call these the car saver options. Because far to many times your wife or girlfriends feel less than glamorous crawling in and out of the car in a tight parking spot, or had to carry luggage on their lap during a long trip. Eventually this will get old and they try and talk you out of taking your car on trips. Finally we allow you to always enjoy your time with the one you love, and your wife too.

 

[B O N Y]

Finally we allow you to always enjoy your time with the one you love, and your wife too.

Yogi, you mean your developing a mod to make the GT a three seater, I remember a Ferrari show car from years back where the driver sat on the middle. Question, do you put the wife on the right side or the left side, and what side do you put........nevermind, I can figure that out. :banana :willy :banana

 

[Shadowman]

Hey guys, Mark really didnt' want me to put this up yet. But since there has been so much discussion about storage. I have to let the cat out of the bag. We are developing a trunk for your GT's. Let me explain, the clamshell will now be hinged at the firewall, and open in the opposite direction that it currently does. The release for it is electric and when you shut it there is no more slamming the clamshell. Now all you will have to do is bring it to where it clicks once and then it will draw itself shut. We tried to find a way to make this work for the current latching of the GT but, the draw systems are so large we didn't spend much time with it. But back to the trunk. When you stand at the back of the car there will be an electric button release on the right of the license plate lites. When the clamshell pops up about three inches you will be able to lift it with one finger exposing the engine compartment. By using a modified version of our chromemolley hidden bumper system that now supports the rear valance/tail section of the car replacing the three pencil braces on either side of the rear chassy and the upper structure that supports the hinges and gas springs that hold the current clamshell up. Additionally our exhaust silencer system is used replacing the current muffler. The airbox and air intake are now redesigned to sit just behind the throttle body. This will also incorporate new programing for the mass air sensor. This leaves a complete area behind the cross member that holds the mount for the transaxle. A carbon fiber insert becomes the trunk filling the space between the tail and the cross member. It has a rubber gasket between it and the clamshell creating a seal. Allowing enough room for a set of golf clubs and two soft bags of luggage, or a fine rifle or two if your from Texas. You can use that trigger finger to pull the clamshell back down into closed position making the trunk option completely undetectable from the outside of the car. Just like our B door option, as a matter of fact, Mark likes to call these the car saver options. Because far to many times your wife or girlfriends feel less than glamorous crawling in and out of the car in a tight parking spot, or had to carry luggage on their lap during a long trip. Eventually this will get old and they try and talk you out of taking your car on trips. Finally we allow you to always enjoy your time with the one you love, and your wife too.

Of all people I truly enjoy it when one pushes the proverbial envelope however retained character is vital to me as such the idea of the clamshell lifting from the bulkhead is interesting but an alternative that I would not be drawn to. Certainly the idea of a larger storage area is interesting but then in all of my years of owning cars such as the GT I have done very well with a soft bag or two and let the experience off set any inconvience. When I need to carry the kitchen sink I load it in the Hummer.

Having shared this I feel certain that "golf bag" storage area will be a hit for more than a few folks as such a sincere "thumbs up" with your project and I suspect that it will be well received.

BTW; the Lamborghini Gallardo has (IMO) even less storage space when compared to the GT.

Takes care

Shadowman

 

[GT Cindy]

Hey, give the Valet a "ride" in the GT, he will always remember you! :wink

Heheh. We were travelling to Palm Springs, so just needed light clothes, for one night, and no sweaters or long pants.

The best thing was, at the Cabazon outlet mall (Burberry, Coach, Puma, Oakley, etc.) she limited her purchases...Kind of a bummer for her, actually, in that respect, but she is making up for it today at South Coast Plaza...

BTW, what's a range of valet tips. I paid $12 for the valet parking privelege and tipped $25 additional ($37 for overnight parking). They seemed very gratious. Too much? Too little? How about for a dinner valet...

 

[sr71]

storage

I have found two of those small airport rollalongs will fit nicely behind the seats. If you are tall, a little more pressure on the seat adjust will squash them down quite well.